Persecution of Christians in Somaliland: the Republic of Somaliland is a breakaway region of the nation of Somalia. Most of the nations of the world consider it to be part of Somalia, but Somaliland has declared its independence and maintains autonomy from the Mogadishu government.
There are virtually no Christians in Somaliland, and Islamic law (Sharia) is the law of the land, which forbids proselytizing or the preaching of any religion other than Islam. For that reason, these Christians and their baby were arrested, and could face severe penalties. Since the father’s name is Mohamed, it is likely that these Christians are converts to the faith. In many areas of the world, converts are singled out for special persecution by officials who consider them a threat to the state.
Please continue to pray that in places such as Somaliland there would by the grace of God be a new dawning of respect for religious freedom.
For previous ChristianPersecution.com coverage of the persecution of Christians in Somalia, see here.
“Somaliland: Christians arrested for spreading Christianity,” Middle East Concern, February 10, 2021
On 21 January, police in Hargeisa, Somaliland arrested Mohamed and Hamdi and their new born baby. The same day an Ethiopian woman, Aster, was taken into custody.
Police searched Mohammed and Hamdi’s house the following day. Besides confiscating material belonging to the couple, they arrested Hamdi A, a woman living with Mohamed and Hamdi. All four, and the baby, remain in police custody.
On 25 January they were brought before a judge and informed they are suspected of spreading Christianity. At a 10 February court appearance they were told the investigation period is being extended. (The law allows the prosecutor up to 45 days from the day of arrest to finish his investigation and file charges.)
Their lawyer says all were in good health and being treated well on his initial visit, but since then he has been denied access, despite a verbal complaint and assurances from the public prosecutor’s office.
In September 2020 another Christian couple was arrested and later deported to Somalia….
